There have been a lot of names suggested as a potential running mate for Donald Trump. Some are okay, others not so much. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y), Kari Lake (R-Ariz.), Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), Ben Carson, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (I-Hawaii), and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) have all been considered. Nikki Haley was reportedly considered at one point. I’m not sure how serious that speculation was, but if she ever had a chance, not dropping out of the GOP primary earlier and refusing to endorse Trump when she finally did probably ended it.
Another name that was reportedly under consideration was Vivek Ramaswamy. At 38 years old, he would certainly bring youth to the ticket, and he fits the bill in many other ways, too. Despite running against Trump in the primary, he routinely expressed support for the former president and immediately endorsed him after dropping out following the Iowa caucuses.
While I didn’t support Vivek’s presidential bid, I was routinely impressed by the way he handled himself on the campaign trail and the way he handled the media. He expressed unabashed opposition to the radical LGBTQ agenda that is targeting children and destroying women’s rights, and he unflinchingly called out transgenderism as a mental disorder. From where I sit, the Republican Party needs people who can speak effectively on these issues and isn’t afraid to do so.
But when the news came that Trump had ruled out Ramaswamy as his running mate, I was okay with that. As much as I like the guy, I think there are better positions for him. According to a report from Bloomberg, he’s still a contender for a cabinet position, possibly Homeland Security.
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“There’s a lot of press speculation, but I can tell you Vivek’s top focus is making sure we get President Trump elected so that we can take America First to the next level,” Ramaswamy spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told The New York Post. “This country would be lucky to have him serve in the next administration and beyond. In the meantime, Vivek is focused on driving change in the private sector and reforming our economy, including by continuing to push back against the ESG cancer in corporate America."
According to Bloomberg, Trump has several names up for consideration for a cabinet position. "Those who have impressed Trump and his team for possible Cabinet roles include another former GOP primary foe, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, as well as Representative Elise Stefanik and former US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer,” reports the outlet. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has been floated as a potential White House chief of staff.
Sources say that one issue that is likely to guide Trump in his search for a running mate is abortion — which tells me that he’s more likely to pick a woman as a running mate.
I hope that if there’s anything Trump learned from his first term, it’s that he needs to be more careful about his personnel choices. Some of his picks were, to say the least, ill-advised. (I’m looking at you, Omarosa, and many others.) But I’m not sure if a cabinet position is the right place for Vivek, either.
I think his communication skills are extraordinary, and that makes him the perfect choice to be White House Press Secretary. I know I’m not alone in thinking this. After Ramaswamy dropped out in January, PJM’s Stephen Green declared, "If The Donald doesn't name The Vivek as the White House Press Secretary, he'll be dead to me."
I’m sure plenty of others agree.
